Question: I have been on and off anti-depressants since my twenties. I am now 45 and was on 40 mg Prozac up until a week ago when my doctor added 5 mg Abilify since I had been in a funk that I just couldn't shake. She also increased the Prozac to 60 mg. When I say funk, I mean I had no interest at all in life. I didn't want to do anything...nothing gave me pleasure. I was sleeping and eating all of the time. Since the increase in Prozac and the addition of the Abilify, I have felt AWESOME! I have so much energy, I am super positive, happy, and I love how I feel. However, I am waking up multiple times during the night, and am wide awake. Also, I have been having what I would call auditory hallucinations. Last night I thought I heard something huge crash downstairs but my husband assures me it was nothing. I also hear my kids call out for me..."Mommy," which is very scary, and they are sound asleep and clearly didn't call out to me. I also hear my dog cry. It is very scary and upsetting. I'm almost afraid to go to sleep now. One last side effect, is that I get this bright white light flashing in my eyes. My first question, is are these side effects ok and safe and will they go away? My second question is whether the Prozac/Abilify combo will make me gain weight. I need to lose 50 lbs and just can't afford to gain anything. Thank you! I don't know why it listed sexual problems. It must have mistakenly chosen that... Also, I should have definitely added that I am a compulsive overeater, 50 lbs overweight, and have struggled with this for 30 years as well... also, can Abilify slow your metabolism? Are the effects of Prozac and Abilify eventually going to wear off and I'll be having to change medications again? Will I suffer any long term problems? Will my brain chemistry permanently change so that I will always have to rely on medications???

Hi Doctor and thank you so much. Gosh I don't think my MD who is the prescriber knows this stuff. So since my last message to you, I haven't had any more of the auditory hallucinations, just very vivid and a little disturbing, dreams. Also, I am still unable to sleep through the night, and want to get up for the day at 3 a.m. The past few days I have been up and full on working out at 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. Then I clean the house, go to the grocery store, make an awesome breakfast, all by 7:00 a.m. I think you are right, it is mania. But I love it and want to always be like this! Why is this a problem? Am I going to crash? I will definitely go to the doctor to tell her what you said...I paid for a month of unlimited questions so I am looking forward to your response. Am I correct that you want me to stop Prozac and increase Abilify? What if the hallucinations are gone? Am I Bipolar? I thought I was just depressed with severe mood swings but what I am experiencing now sounds like what I hear about people on cocaine. Thank you so much Doctor! This is awesome and SO worth the money!!!!!